Balding in form

The French Revolution section in One Jump Ahead had a couple of winners on Saturday, including Risk Belle (7/2) who was awarded the Grade A handicap hurdle on the opening day of Fairyhouse's Easter Festival. Willie Mullins' filly had been narrowly denied in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and was gaining compensation here. Having been hampered on the run-in and beaten half a length, the stewards rightly reserved the result with the No Risk At All filly being awarded the spoils. 

In the same section, I suggest readers keep an eye out for the second horse covered on page 149. By all accounts, the horse in question has been showing all the right signs at home and a bold showing is anticipated. 

Andrew Balding is covered in the Talking Trainers section of the new edition of Ahead On The Flat and the head of Kingsclere has had a productive couple of days. The yard sent out three winners at Newcastle on Good Friday, including the progressive Desert Cop (11/1), and they were also on the mark at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening. Torre Del Oro had reportedly filled his frame during the winter and was allocated an opening mark of 77. The son of Almanzor made a mockery of that rating when stepping up to middle distances for the first time at Wolverhampton. David Probert pushed his mount to the front in the homestraight before pulling clear to win hard held by nearly five lengths. His trainer thinks he will be even better over further with connections probably already thinking in terms of the Melrose Handicap at York in August.

William Haggas isn't in bad form either with Dubai Honour gaining his second Group 1 win in the space of three weeks in Australia. A four and a half lengths winner at Rosehill last month, the five year old followed up under Tom Marquand at Randwick on Saturday morning. His latest win came on the back of Queen Aminatu's impressive success at Newcastle on Good Friday. The daughter of Muhaarar is improving at a rate of knots and could well head to Lingfield next month for the Group 3 Chartwell Stakes (13th May) and it wouldn't be a surprise if she is given an entry in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Don't forget, Ahead On The Flat is the only publication which will include a stable interview with William. Champion trainer Charlie Appleby also fits in that category. If you haven't already ordered your copy, please head to the Publications section before the season gets into full stride.

Thank you very much to those clients who have purchased their copy in the last 48 hours - orders will be posted out on Tuesday next week. 

Just a reminder, the Aintree Grand National Update will be emailed to clients on Tuesday 12th April. There is still plenty of time to order the Update, which includes an interview with Lucinda Russell who is responsible for the ante-post favourite for the Grand National Corach Rambler, plus stable star Ahoy Senor and a team of promising youngsters.